Your Right to Know

WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury in Miami is investigating Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.,
examining his role in advocating for the business interests of a wealthy donor and friend,
according to three people aware of the probe.

Menendez has intervened in matters affecting the financial interests of Florida ophthalmologist
Salomon Melgen, seeking to apply pressure on the government of the Dominican Republic to honor a
contract with Melgen’s port-security company, documents and interviews show. Also, Menendez’s
office has acknowledged that he interceded with federal health-care officials after they said that
Melgen had overbilled the U.S. government for care at his clinic.

Melgen has provided Menendez with plane flights and hospitality at his Dominican Republic
vacation home, say people acquainted with their relationship.

Last month, people with knowledge of the case said FBI agents were conducting interviews in the
Dominican Republic and the United States concerning allegations against Menendez, including the
role he played in advocating for the enforcement of the port-security contract.

A grand-jury probe, which involves a prosecutor pursuing allegations with an eye toward possible
indictment, typically represents a legal escalation, although it does not always lead to a
prosecution.

As part of the grand-jury investigation, the three people said, federal agents have questioned
witnesses about the interactions between Menendez and Melgen, who contributed $700,000 last year to
Menendez and other Senate Democrats. The grand jury also has issued subpoenas for Melgen’s business
and financial records, according to two people briefed on the probe who, like the others, spoke on
the condition of anonymity to describe an ongoing investigation.

Federal agents have not contacted Menendez, according to a person familiar with the case.

Menendez declined yesterday to say whether he knows anything about the investigation, but he
said any probe would find he had done nothing wrong.